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The Orishas are deities that are part of a multi-theistic religious practice originating in the Southwestern African indigenous rituals of the Yoruba-speaking tribes of Nigeria and Benin. As Africans reached the western world through enslavement, and came In contact with Latiné and Native American cultures and other diasporic Black communities, particularly in the Caribbean and American gullah/geechee regions, many of these practices began to syncretize with Roman Catholic, and Christian practices -- many times as a way to preserve as much as the practice as possible as white colonizers and enslavers sought to eradicate Black religious practice. While there are many orishas, we will focus on the following 7.
Oshun
Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful of all orishas, and, like other gods, she possesses human attributes such as vanity, jealousy, and spite.
Shango
The fourth king of the Yoruba Oyo Empire, he is the god of thunder, drumming, dancing, fire and male virility. Known for his love of partying, Shango has a ritual dance named after him. He is a master at the drums and the rumble of the thunder reminds us of his rhythmic sounds. Shango is always seen with a double-headed axe, representing justice and symbolizing thunder.
Ogun
Ogun is a very popular and feared god among the Yoruba pantheon of gods, called the god of iron and war. He is known for his creativity alongside his destructive nature which amounts to the misunderstood nature of his aura. It Is sometimes said that he made a way for the orishas to enter earth by cracking the barrier between their worlds and ours with his axe.
Yemoja
The mother of all the Orisha, Yemoja is the orisha of the surface of the sea. It is said that she protected enslaved Africans on their journeys during The Middle Passage. She is the orisha of fertility as well as of bodies of water and has under her protection dockworkers, boatwrights, fishers, sailors, swimmers, and others who work, live, or travel around water. The number 7 belongs to her, representing the seven seas; her devotees wear seven silver bracelets, and she is often seen wearing full skirts with seven blue-and-white layers. Her necklace, ileke, is made of crystal or crystal and blue beads, sometimes with red coral. She is summoned with a gourd rattle.
Elegua
Sometimes represented as a child, and sometimes as an old man. He represents the beginning and end of life, and the opening and closing of paths in life. Sometimes known as the trickster, he likes to play jokes on people. He enjoys candy and toys. Despite his childlike nature, however, he's a very powerful Orisha. He's one of the Warriors (along with Ogún, Ochosi and Osun). Eleguá is always mentioned first in any ceremony, because without his permission, the doors to communication with the other Orishas stay closed.
Obaluaye
Orisha of contagious diseases and epidemics, and healing from them. As the orisha of both sickness and healing, he is both feared and loved.
Oya
Oya is the powerful Yorùbá Orisha of the winds and tempests. She is considered either the sister of the Orisha of storms Shango, or one of His three wives, with Oshun and Oba. She can manifest as winds ranging from the gentlest breeze to the raging hurricane or cyclone. She goes forth with Her husband during His thunderstorms, destroying buildings, ripping up trees, and blowing things down. Oya is known as a fierce warrior and strong protectress of women, who call on Her to settle disputes in their favor.
As the Orisha of change, She brings down the dead wood to make room for the new, and She uses Her machete or sword to clear a path for new growth. She is believed to watch over the newly dead and assist them as they make the transition from life.
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